Definition : Lessee

Person who holds, under a lease agreement, the right to use a private portion (for example, an apartment or a parking space) and the other rights of use attached thereto (such as: the swimming pool or the training room) in consideration of the payment of an amount of money, i.e. the rent. His rights are limited to those available to the co-owner-lessor. Article 1057 of the Civil Code of .Québecstipulates that the by-laws of the immovable are enforceable against the lessee, upon his being given a copy of the by-laws and of its amendments by his co-owner-lessor or, failing the co-owner-lessor doing so, by the syndicate. This article has the effect of subjecting the lessees to the same legal rules as the co-owners.

Related articles

The declaration of co-ownership is binding upon the co-owners and, in principle, on the occupants and tenants of the immovable. It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to enforce its content. By failing to do so, the members of the Board may, in some cases, be held liable toward the co-owners.

Even though a co-owner is at home in his apartment, its use should be in accordance with the prescriptions of the declaration of co-ownership. This document may contain provisions prohibiting any activities other than residential ones in the immovable. To ensure the welfare of its residents, it may be necessary for the syndicate to impose sanctions to co-owners or tenants who disregard the by-laws of the immovable. It may even, on occasion, petition the court to assert the rights of all co-owners.

The law provides that a syndicate must keep a register at the disposal of the co-owners. The majority of declarations of co-ownership detail the items it contains. This register is the memory of the syndicate, and consequently, its archives. In is thus invaluable. Much more than a witness to the sound management of an immovable, it is its prime instrument. Therefore, preservation and access are the hallmarks of this register.